I finished sewing this red rendition a few weeks ago and was initially disappointed in the outcome but I have come to realise that the bottom piece I wear with it is essential to its success.
I used a very fine red dobby polyester with small white and green dots and black dashes which Mum gave me over three years ago. A fine drapey fabric is needed to make that gathered peplum work.
These photos were taken with me wearing a loosish pair of linen pants and the combination did not look good . However later on I tried a pair of skinny navy pants and I liked my peplum top much better.So for now it is a keeper and it will match up with newly completed embroidered skinny jeans ( have to get photos taken of those yet ) . As an aside I really love the long sleeved version too and will make that one day !
I should say there was one small mistake in the instructions. They forget to tell you the finish the back neckline with a bias strip after staystitching. The pictures show the bias binding though. Apart from this the instructions are fine and the pattern is easy to follow.
I have been reading a few blog posts about how many times we wear our clothes and the number 30 seems to have been chosen as representing environmental value. It seems a quite random number and I am not sure if there are any studies which proves its worth.
The above red and white floral broderie anglaise shirt would fulfil the 30 wearings number ( as would my other red tops) .
I made it using McCalls 2094 in 2007 which makes the shirt 11 1/2 years old. It is probably one of the best fitting shirts I own and I still love it. In all honesty the upper back is starting to get a bit yellowed as is under the arms but nothing that can not be covered with a cardigan or jumper . This is not the oldest shirt I own though.
Also using McCalls 2094 is this sleeveless shirt made using some cotton lawn . I sewed this in 2001 so it is now 17 years old ! The cotton is so soft and wonderful to wear on hot days. It is not stained or holey.I simply can not bear to get rid of it and I can see no reason to .
So am I weird to have clothes for so long ? Does anyone else have clothes this old which are worn over and over ( past the magic 30 number !)
I nearly bought that Rachel Comey pattern but it wasn't in the sale so I didn't. I think peplums do look better with skinny pants and maybe a straight skirt too. I love the fabric. I keep my clothes for as long as I love them. Sometimes I think I want to get rid of them, then do then I miss them and regret it. I don't know when people sew so much, where they put it all. I have a few things I can't bear to get rid of too.
ReplyDeleteI made my new red top to replace two of the old ones so I am slowly coming around to getting rid of those. I suppose some people have huge wardrobes or regularly cull their clothes ? I have regreted quite a few culls so now I really hang on to things until I am sick of them or they are wrecked or I have something similar - I mean who needs 4 red summer tops !
ReplyDeleteJust enjoyed reading your blog - thanks for the stitching with double thread tip.
ReplyDeleteThankyou. It is a nifty trick I learnt from a Kwik sew pattern.
DeleteI keep my clothes for a long time, too. I have a cape my mother made for me when I was in college back in the 80s. I still wear it and it still looks fashionable. Most of my me-made clothes last for a long time, even the ones made with inexpensive fabric. I am with you, if I still like it, I am keeping it and wearing it:) I do get rid of the ones that I don't like how they look on me.
ReplyDeleteThankyou. I do get rid of clothes when I don't feel good wearing them anymore. Your cape must hold sentimental memories as well.
DeleteThe only reasons for me to get rid of me-made clothes are 1) it's perfectly made and I hate it on me, 2) it's still good but no longer fits and 3) it's too worn and can no longer be mended so it goes into the garbage. Other than that, it stays.
ReplyDeleteTheresa in Tucson